Concerns were mentioned - for example issues with birds flying through the dining hall during meals, lack of repairs on broken toilets and showers, and low participation by inmates in mental health groups.

But overall, the inspection was "very positive, with zero areas rated in need of improvement," Joanna E. Saul, executive director for the agency, said.

"At the last inspection in 2011, RiCI was struggling with an increase in violence, particularly due to gang activity," Saul said. "Since that time, particularly with the implementation of the 3 Tier Plan and better classification of inmates, RiCI has seen a drastic reduction in violence and a return to its programming roots."

There were no homicides in the prison for the past two years.

Assaults and fights decreased significantly, as did uses of force by officers in response, according to the report. Use of force rates were lower than comparable prisons, according to the report.

There were 17 reported inmate-on-inmate assaults in 2013 (including 16 physical and one involving harassment) - a 63.8 percent decrease from the year before.

Last year, 10 inmate-on-staff assaults were reported last year, down 28.6 percent from 2012. Four of the assaults last year were physical, four involved harassment and two involved inappropriate physical contacts, according to the CIIC.

RiCI, which functions primarily as a "programming" prison, helping with inmate re-entry goals, was rated highest on re-entry and rehabilitation:

"The facility is considered to be 'exceptional' for access to programs, with a broad range of re-entry-based unit programs and educational programs including access to college courses and extensive vocational offerings. It also has an excellent re-entry planning system," Saul said.

"Health and well-being indicators were generally acceptable, although there is room for improvement in terms of access to healthcare and health-related programs," she said.

"RiCI scored well in fair treatment categories, with both the grievance procedure and segregation perceived as good, and the inmate disciplinary board impressed with its review of evidence. Staff/inmate interactions were generally reported by inmates to be good, even though the LGBTI (lesbian, gay bixsexual, transgender and intersex) and focus group reported concerns regarding potential discrimination," Saul said.

Fiscal accountability was also good, with low turnover and vacancies, and generally positive feedback from correctional officers regarding the workplace environment, she said.

"Overall, the facility appears to be performing well at fulfilling its mission as a medium security, program-focused institution, preparing inmates for reentry to society.

"The staff at Richland Correctional Institution are dedicated to the departmental mission of reducing offender recidivism," RiCI Warden Margaret Bradshaw said Wednesday. "This report is a reflection of their efforts and commitment to providing pro-social meaningful activities and opportunities to enhance employability once offenders are released from prison, which in turn keeps Ohio's communities safe," she said.

Highlights from the report:

RiCI reported just one disturbance last year, down significantly from 2012, when 12 were reported.

In its last inspection, RiCI, along with Ohio's other prisons, was struggling with managing gang-related violence in its open dorms. "Since then, the DRC's 3 Tier Plan has dramatically helped the prison's environment by reducing violence," the CIIC said.

Last year, 71.4 percent of use of force incidents involved black inmates, 24.7 percent involved white inmates and 3.9 percent involved inmates of another race. The CIIC, noting that only 49.9 percent of RiCI's population is black, recommended prison officials evaluate "disproportionate" use of force on black inmates, reviewing incidents to ensure were there no opportunities to use lesser alternatives, such as chemical agents, and making sure video footage documenting use of force is preserved, in line with DRC policy.

In a year when complaints about food quality in Ohio prisons got some publicity, the team looked into that area. The three meals sampled by state inspection team were rated "acceptable" but in need of improvement. Problems included a main entree with an unappetizing taste, and a lack of seasoning in two meals. The inspection report recommended developing strategies to improve quality.

RiCI passed its most recent health inspection with just one violation, an improvement from the previously county inspection, when several concerns were found. (The single area of concern regarded compressions in the kitchen floor which were scheduled to be leveled out). Staff told CIIC the prison did not have any mice or vermin issues, but gnats were a problem a few weeks before the inspection, and a commercial sanitation crew was brought in to take care of the problem.

The inspection team spotted a bird in the ceiling of the dining hall during the visit, and Inmates and staff said birds frequently enter the area during meal periods. The inspection report suggested working on strategies to prevent that. A memo went out June 9 directing staff to not prop the door open. Netting was set up to catch birds, and a trap bird house and glue boards also were being used, so birds could be trapped, then released outside.

The inspection team found several toilets, urinals and sinks in need of repair, and 12 inoperable showers. However, staff said RiCI plans to upgrade showers in each unit soon.

LGBTI inmates felt harassed or singled out for "greater negative attention" when disciplinary actions were taken. For example, two LGBTI inmates told inspectors they had received segregation placements for talking while they were on their bunks during quiet hours, according to the report.

RiCI won high points for its rehabilitation and re-entry programs, including "an exeptionally large number of programs and purposeful activities. The prison has eight unit-based re-entry approved programs in which 7.9 percent of inmates were enrolled, and has increased rates of inmate participation in programs for recovery services, apprenticeships, career/technology, academics and recreation.

However, state inspectors recommended that prison officials consider strategies to increase the number of academic certificates; enrollments in apprenticeships; and the rate of community service hours and participation in religious services.

RiCI's inmate library operates 7 days a week, maintains "a comparatively large number of seats," more than the typical number of periodical and newspaper subscriptions, and higher per-inmate usage rate than other comparable prisons, according to the report.

lmartz@gannett.com

419-521-7229

Twitter: @MNJmartz

The full report on Richland Correctional Institution's most recent inspection is available on the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee website, www.ciic.state.oh.us.